​A set of remarkable artefacts which tell the story of the beginnings of the Royal National Mòd and a significant moment in the history of Scottish Gaelic culture, are being returned to public view next month following an important restoration project. Two original posters dating back to the 1890s marking the first ever editions of the Royal National Mòd have been lovingly restored to their former glory and will be displayed at the West Highland Museum in Fort William on 8^th September.

The delicate, intricate orange and blue designs are the only known examples of promotional materials from the earliest years of the world’s premier Gaelic festival still in existence today.

Skilled paper conservator Helen Creasy of the Scottish Conservation Studio carried out the painstaking work over a three-month period, transforming the incredibly fragile and friable items to their original splendour.

Despite significant damage across the two rare pieces, including tears, losses, creases, discolouration, staining and water damage, the beautiful script was intact and the pieces successfully rescued.

Restoration treatment included humidifying to relax the paper, surface cleaning and washing, unfolding and flattening, filling areas of loss with toned paper pulp, lining and pressing. The framed posters will be on display in Glasgow during this year’s Mòd, from 9 - 17 October.

The earliest poster, which showcases the first ever Mòd in 1892, outlines the details of various Gaelic competitions including choral, solo singing and poetry events. Prizes ranged from 15 shillings up to £8 for the top singers – around £123 and £1,300 in today’s money, while tickets to watch the festivities cost one shilling.

The 1893 poster highlights the incredible talent on display across the event. The programme included a flagship Gaelic concert, songs from Gaelic choirs across Scotland including Glasgow’s St Columba Gaelic Choir and the Oban Gaelic Musical Association, and a performance from the famous Gaelic singer Jessie Maclachlan, who is known for performing around the world including for Queen Victoria.

The preservation work has been spearheaded by Gael Mary Ann Kennedy and completed in partnership with An Comunn Gàidhealach and the West Highland Museum, thanks to backing from the Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust and generous public crowdfunder donations.

The precious items were previously in the care of Oban-based historian Bob McCulloch, having been passed to him from the family of one of the founders of the Mòd, Dugald MacIsaac, some years ago.

Bob will now hand over guardianship to An Comunn Gàidhealach to be taken care of by West Highland Museum and safely stored at Highland Council’s Lochaber Archive when not on public display.

Mary Ann Kennedy said: “These posters are extraordinarily important markers in the history of the Gaels, and the Royal National Mòd, so it is significant to have had them restored so beautifully. They look absolutely fantastic and we can really imagine the designs having pride of place around Oban back in the 1890s, showcasing all that the Mòd had to offer.

“I first came across the billposters while preparing an exhibition for the Royal National Mòd in Oban in 2024. They were in such a poor, fragile state due to their age and I felt passionately that they should be restored and returned to public view. It will be a very special moment to see the posters hanging in the West Highland Museum for all to see. I would like to thank Bob for taking such good care of the items, the brilliant restoration team, and all those who donated in order to make the project possible.”

Peigi MacLennan, Chief Executive Officer of organisers An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “These posters are precious pieces of the Mòd’s history and it is remarkable to see them brought back to life. Organisers then could never have known the incredible legacy that the event would go on to have, still bringing people together to appreciate Gaelic language, music and culture some 134 years later. These items are a wonderful reminder of where the Mòd’s journey began and we are very grateful to Mary Ann and all those involved in ensuring the preservation of these important artefacts.”

As part of the project, local artist Ali Berardelli was commissioned to create a cyanotype print in a complementary style to the posters, which outlines all of the restoration’s donors. This piece of work will be displayed alongside the originals.

The Royal National Mòd original promotional posters will be on display at West Highland Museum on 8^th September, and then at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall for the duration of the Mòd, with free entry.

The Royal National Mòd returns to Glasgow this year, from 9 – 17 October 2026. For more information and tickets visit: https://modghlaschu2026.org/

With just 50 days until the The Royal National Mòd returns to Glasgow for the first time in seven years, Scotland’s premier Gaelic event has unveiled that it has received a record number of competition entries.

More than 2,100 entries have been received from competitors in solo, duet and quartet singing, choirs, traditional instruments including fiddle, accordion, piano and bagpipes, bands, drama, poetry, storytelling and art.

Entries are up 6.5% on last year’s hugely successful event in Lochaber, with entrants of all ages set to take part in the Scottish cultural celebration in Glasgow from 9 – 17 October 2026.

Groups and individuals from across Scotland and beyond will showcase their passion for Gaelic music and culture, with participants expected from the likes of Harris, Barra, Inverness, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Oban, and as far as London and Canada.

Organisers are tailoring their scheduling and increasing venue capacities to accommodate the record-breaking interest, particularly for competitions for fluent Gaelic-speaking children, signalling a positive outlook for the language.

Flagship premier competitions, which are held in the highest esteem, include the prestigious Gold Medal and Traditional Gold Medal solo singing contests, along with the choral competitions for the Lovat and Tullibardine Shield and Margrat Duncan Memorial Trophy.

The Royal National Mòd has been going for more than 130 years and sees around 270 cups, trophies, shields, quaichs, medals and prizes dished out across 200 competition categories.

Peigi MacLennan, Chief Executive Officer of organisers An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “With just 50 days before the Mòd returns to Glasgow, it is fantastic to see record numbers choosing to take part. There’s enthusiasm for competitions across the breadth of the programme, with thousands of people eager to share their love of the Gaelic language, put their talents to the test, and be part of the Mòd’s incredible community.

“The exceptional interest we’re seeing, particularly among fluent Gaelic-speaking children, reflects the growing confidence in Gaelic and is a hugely positive sign for the future of the language.

“These high entry numbers also set the tone for a record-breaking edition in Glasgow this October, which along with the busy competitions will see concerts, cèilidhs, sessions and celebrations of all kinds staged right across the city. It is set to be a fantastic celebration.”

Ealasaid MacDonald, Ceannard (CEO), Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said: “It’s very encouraging to see so many entrants for this year’s Mòd competitions already. Bòrd na Gàidhlig are very much looking forward to joining you all in Glasgow this October to celebrate and promote Gaelic language, music, and culture in the City of the Gaels.”

The Royal National Mòd returns to Glasgow in 2026, from 9 – 17 October. For more information and tickets visit this website.

A special song celebrating the spirit of Glasgow has been reimagined in Scottish Gaelic ahead of the Royal National Mòd’s return to the city this autumn.

The rousing Ar n-Òran do Ghlaschu (Our Song for Glasgow) brings together the voices of acclaimed singer Norrie ‘Tago’ MacIver and Còisir Sgoiltean Gàidhlig Ghlaschu (the Glasgow Gaelic School Choirs), which comprises young singers from all four of Glasgow’s Gaelic primary schools.

With Glasgow home to the biggest concentration of Gaelic speakers outside the Western Isles, the song – which is out this Thursday 13 August – celebrates the city and its thriving Gaelic community and links.

The original English version written by Jamie Campbell of Glasgow band Dignity Row was selected by Glasgow Life through a competition with Go Radio as a song that captures the vibrancy of the city and has been used to represent the charity across its marketing campaigns ever since.

Ahead of Glasgow’s hosting of the world’s biggest celebration of Scottish Gaelic, Jamie has worked closely with musician, composer and broadcaster Mary Ann Kennedy to translate the tribute to Glasgow into Gaelic.

The song picks up on iconic images of the ‘world’s friendliest city’ and includes a description of Glasgow’s Buchanan Street full of music and song, as will be the case when the Mòd arrives in October.

The Gaelic version will be performed at a Dignity Row gig at the Bungalow on Thursday by Mary Ann, before being featured as part of the Mòd, which runs from 9 – 17 October 2026.

Schoolchildren from Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Bhaile Ghobhainn (Govan), Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghleann Dail (Pollokshields), Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu (Finnieston) and Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a’ Challtainn (Calton) can all be heard on the track, alongside Dignity Row founding member Jamie Campbell on keyboards, Dario Palazzo on guitar, Julian Pombo on bass guitar, and Gavin Paterson on drums.

The track was recorded at Studio 1790 in Cumbernauld, with vocals from the schoolchildren recorded at the Finnieston and Govan school campuses, with the support of Gaelic singer-songwriter Isla Scott.

Jamie Campbell of Dignity Row said: “Ar n-Òran do Ghlaschu (Our Song for Glasgow) tries to capture the unique, dynamic essence and heartbeat of Glasgow where people are great, friendly, welcoming characters who tell you their life story, and make you never feel alone. Locals and visitors make so many great memories here, and trace back ma gical moments to particular landmarks. Walking down Buchanan Street, there is music all around as you stroll through our great city that we should all be very proud to call home.

“I have always aimed to write songs straight from the heart to capture emotions that are difficult to communicate out loud in everyday conversation. The lyrics reflect my love for Glasgow and all the places and people that remind me of home. In Glasgow you are truly never alone!”

Glasgow Gael, Mary Ann Kennedy said: “It’s a real privilege to be entrusted with translating someone else’s song, but a joy as well, as Jamie obviously has the same love of the city as I do.”

Chair of Glasgow Life, and City Convenor for Culture, Sport and International Relations, Bailie Annette Christie, said: “Having this special song Ar n-Òran do Ghlaschu (Our Song for Glasgow) to celebrate, in Gaelic, the spirit of the city as it looks forward to welcoming the Royal National Mòd’s return, is very special.

“Glasgow can’t wait to once again host this renowned cultural celebration. As home to the largest concentration of Gaelic speakers outwith the Western Isles, the city has strong, historic links with Gaelic, and interest and engagement have grown considerably in recent years. We are committed to building on engagement and the growing interest in the language and culture – and our Gaelic Arts Plan 2025-2029 affirms our aim to encourage and enable further participation in, and appreciation of, Gaelic creative expression.

“We recognise how valuable it is to ensure Gaelic and non-Gaelic speakers alike are offered opportunities to experience events and activities that support and strengthen Gaelic language and culture – boosting the social impact and economic contribution they make. So staging The Royal National Mòd, and ensuring as many people as possible can enjoy all that Gaelic arts and music offer, is hugely important to the city.”

This year’s Royal National Mòd in Glasgow is supported by Glasgow Life, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, The Scottish Government, EventScotland, Caledonian MacBrayne, BBC ALBA, Creative Scotland and Qualifications Scotland.

The Royal National Mòd returns to Glasgow from 9 - 17 October 2026. Tickets for flagship events are on sale now, visit modghlaschu2026.org.

Ar n-Òran do Ghlaschu (Our Song for Glasgow) is available to download and stream from Thursday 13 August, SoundCloud link here.